Vitamin C for Face

Vitamin C also known as L-ascorbic acid is vital to the generation of collagen in the skin. Collagen, a protein, has powerful anti-ageing properties and is the single most important compound responsible for firm and youthful skin. The lack of vitamin C in the body prevents the collagen to function with optimum efficiency. The result is less firm and wrinkled skin.

Key Benefits of Vitamin C

  • Powerful Antioxidant: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights harmful free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin's firmness and vitality. Pollution, cigarette smoke, herbicides, and the normal aging process produce free radicals in the body. The strong anti-oxidant properties of vitamin C combat and prevent its damaging effects.
  • Sun Damage: Vitamin C also helps reverse the damage caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays .These ultraviolet rays are responsible for skin cancer.
Vitamin C Oil/ Serum: The demand for anti-ageing products is high nowadays, and vitamin C is a powerful ingredient in the fight against age-related skin conditions. The markets are flooded with variety of Vitamin C oils and serums. So are these new age products really beneficial for the skin? Well, yes. The topical application of vitamin C does help boost the appearance of the skin. Given below are some of the benefits:
  • Application of vitamin C concentrate stimulates collagen, which helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines and makes facial skin plump and elastic.
  • Vitamin C heals sun damage by neutralizing free radicals.
  • Vitamin C oil or concentrate helps clear stubborn pigmentation.

Vitamin C Facial Creams: Vitamin C creams minimize sun damage and with time reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, these creams are useful in maintaining the PH balance of the skin. However, vitamin C creams spoil easily so they should be stored properly.

Vitamin C Skin Polish: Vitamin C enhanced skin polish exfoliates dull and dead cells on the surface of the skin revealing smooth and revitalized skin. Exfoliation is good for people with dull and dry skin.

Vitamin C Facial: Facials are a popular part of the beauty regimen nowadays. Facials relax, rejuvenate and improve the quality of skin. Facials also enhance blood circulation, thus providing an instant glow to the skin. Vitamin C facials reverse the effects of sun damage, prevent acne, and help tighten pores. They also help boost the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.

As in any treatment, facials also have some side effects. Some people may be allergic to certain kind of facials; hence, it is important to get it done from a dermatologist or a professional aesthetician.

Naturally Available Vitamin C

Fresh Juices for Wrinkles: We have all heard about the benefits of fresh juices in our diet. The inclusion of nutritionally rich vitamin C juices like orange, pineapple, and lemon in our diet can work wonders and benefit not only internal health but also improve the quality of our skin. Vitamin C juices have strong anti-ageing properties. The antioxidant content in freshly pressed juices hydrate and nourish the body and help fight free radicals to restrict the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Consumption of Vitamin C juice also helps in prevention of age and liver spots on the face.

Orange Juice for Acne: What you put inside your body plays a vital role in how you look from outside. A diet loaded with greasy and oily food will eventually show up on the skin in the form of breakouts and acne. Incorporating orange juice in the diet can be a boon for people struggling with acne. Oranges are great source of vitamin C. A daily dose of vitamin C is useful in the fight against free radicals that cause inflammation in the skin and eventually the breakouts. Applying orange juice directly on the skin may help reduce acne scars.

Lemon Juice for Clear Skin: Lemons have high content of vitamin C. While consuming lime juice is an easy way to detox, applying lemon juice directly on the skin helps diminish brown spots, tighten pores, lighten skin, and reduce blackheads and wrinkles. However, lime juice dries up the skin; hence, the skin should be moisturized properly afterwards. Also, lemon is acidic in nature so it is advisable for people with sensitive skin to not apply lime juice directly on the face.

Foods Rich in Vitamin C: Foods rich in vitamin C include:

  • Guava
  • Bell peppers
  • Greens (kale, garden cress, mustard greens, etc.)
  • Cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
  • Red and green chilies
  • Kiwis
  • Oranges
  • Strawberries
  • Papayas

Vitamin C Supplements: Supplements are a good choice for people who are unable to meet their daily nutritional requirement through their diet. Although it is always good to get daily nutrition from fresh fruits and vegetables, sometimes, wrong lifestyle and diet choices may not provide the adequate amount. Smoking also depletes the amount of vitamin C in the body; therefore, smokers are mostly found to be deficient in vitamin C.

However, self-medication is not a safe option. The dosage and the type of supplement required by the body are dependent on many health factors. It is important to consult a physician before starting with any dietary supplement.

References:

  1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm
  2. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-c-000339.htm
  3. http://ods.od.nih.gov/pubs/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.pdf